Check out Upper Hutt City Council's great bumper stickers

Sharron Pardoe Reporter from Upper Hutt Leader

Many Upper Hutt organisations are wearing their support of the White Ribbon message on their cars.

Upper Hutt City Council fleet cars are sporting a bumper sticker that says "Respect can stop violence towards women".

The council has collaborated with White Ribbon and Safe Hutt Valley to produce 3000 of these stickers that prompt the viewer to visit the White Ribbon website.

It also encourages the public to take the White Ribbon pledge, which is "I will stand up, speak out and act to prevent violence towards women".
Council director of community services Mike Ryan said while the White Ribbon campaign was very visible throughout November, the reality was that violence towards women was a year-round issue.

"The bumper stickers are a great way for council to continually advocate that violence towards women is not OK, ever," he said.

Along with the bumper stickers, Upper Hutt residents can expect to see many other campaign prompts, including billboards, static displays, posters, and cloth white ribbons in prominent locations around the city.

Safe Hutt Valley Coordinator Lesley Davies said her organisation was proud to support the council's awareness campaign.

"It acts as a catalyst for members of the public to engage with White Ribbon, examine their own behaviour and attitudes about violence towards women, and understand what violence is and the harmful impact it has," she said.

The New Zealand Defence Force was getting behind the bumper stickers too and had decorated all the fleet cars at Trentham with a bumper sticker.

As they do every year, Trentham staff will also have a presence at the Upper Hutt White Ribbon Family Day on Saturday. The day will feature a free open-air concert, picnic facilities, free children's entertainment and the White Ribbon riders.

*The bumper stickers are available for free from Upper Hutt Central Library, Upper Hutt City Council reception, and H20 Xtream aquatic centre. Council has also engaged local community groups, businesses, sports clubs, government agencies and other groups to distribute the bumper stickers throughout Upper Hutt.

Residents who want to support or find out more about White Ribbon are invited to attend a community-led White Ribbon Family Fun Day at 12pm, November 26 at Lane Park, 16 – 22 Lane Street, Upper Hutt.